Hussaini Kafi in Kano
A total of 651 students across various academic levels have been awarded scholarships under the 2025 Special Students’ Scholarship Program in Jigawa State, as Governor Malam Umar Namadi reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive educational support.
The breakdown of the scholarship beneficiaries includes 400 undergraduates from 12 educationally disadvantaged local government areas (LGAs), 150 Master’s students, 50 PhD candidates, and 50 students pursuing professional certifications in accounting with ICAN and ANAN. Additionally, 151 female students from underserved LGAs in health training institutions are supported through the Women for Health Program.
Governor Namadi unveiled the initiative on Thursday the Banquet Hall, Government House, Dutse, under the Danmodi Students’ Care Initiative — a flagship intervention aligning with Goal 6 of his administration’s 12-Point Agenda, “Investing in People.”
“This is borne out of our conviction in the inherent potentials and ability of our youth to develop and positively contribute to the progress and development of our society,” Governor Namadi said. “We must take deliberate policies to nurture and develop these assets to make them productive and avoid making them a liability to society.”
Beyond the scholarships, Governor Namadi highlighted other youth development efforts, including the training of 1,000 young people in artificial intelligence and blockchain technology through an ICT outsourcing initiative with GLUWA, and an ongoing collaboration with NITDA to train thousands more in digital skills.
The Senior Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs, Muhammad Salisu Seeker, also lauded the administration’s achievements in the education sector. “In less than two years, we’ve seen a 100% increase in state scholarship allowances, renovation and upgrading of schools, recruitment of over 7,000 teachers, and international sponsorships for students,” he stated.
Seeker noted that the Danmodi Students’ Care Initiative had distributed 33,000 JAMB pins over two years, implemented the EDU-KEKE program for students with disabilities, and embarked on numerous school infrastructure projects and outreach programs, including the NELFUND sensitization that supported over 7,000 students.
He further disclosed that the 400 undergraduate beneficiaries were selected from over 15,000 JAMB candidates supported by the state in 2024, with nearly 5,000 gaining admission through the initiative’s screening committee.
Governor Namadi concluded by urging the youth to embrace resilience, patience, and dedication, calling them “the pride of Jigawa.”
